1 Peter 4 6

1 Peter 4:6 kjv

For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

1 Peter 4:6 nkjv

For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

1 Peter 4:6 niv

For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

1 Peter 4:6 esv

For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

1 Peter 4:6 nlt

That is why the Good News was preached to those who are now dead ? so although they were destined to die like all people, they now live forever with God in the Spirit.

1 Peter 4 verses

1 Peter 4 6 Meaning

First Peter 4:6 explains that the gospel was preached to those who have since died, not so that they might receive a different, saving message after death, but to clarify the nature of their past experience and present state. The purpose was that while they might have been judged or condemned by human standards, facing hardship or even physical death ("judged according to men in the flesh"), their true destiny and life before God would be a spiritual one, affirming their salvation and eternal blessedness ("live according to God in the spirit"). This provides comfort and hope to living believers facing persecution, assuring them of a divine outcome beyond human judgment.

1 Peter 4 6 Context

First Peter chapter 4, building upon the themes of suffering and Christ-like endurance from previous chapters, pivots toward the reality of divine judgment and the coming end. Verses 1-3 call believers to abandon their former pagan lifestyle and arm themselves with Christ's mindset of suffering in the flesh to cease from sin. Verses 4-5 explain that their former pagan associates are perplexed by the Christians' change and will face judgment by God, who is "ready to judge the living and the dead." Verse 6 directly follows, explaining why the gospel was preached even to those "dead"—to clarify the spiritual reality and divine outcome for those believers who had already passed away, especially those who died for their faith or while experiencing persecution. The context underscores that earthly suffering and death are not the final word for the believer; divine life in the spirit awaits.

1 Peter 4 6 Word analysis

• For (γάρ, gar): A conjunction introducing an explanation or reason for the preceding statement (1 Pet 4:5), connecting the universal judgment to the specific fate of those who have died in Christ.
• for this cause (εἰς τοῦτο, eis touto): Points to the purpose or outcome, linking the preaching of the gospel directly to the consequence of being judged by men in the flesh but living in the spirit.
• was the gospel preached (εὐηγγελίσθη, euēngelisthē): Perfect passive indicative of euangelizō. It signifies an action completed in the past with ongoing effects. The gospel had been proclaimed. The focus is on the fact of its historical proclamation.
• also (καί, kai): Indicates that just as the gospel is preached to the living, it also extended to those who are now dead, affirming the continuity of God's redemptive work across life and death.
• to them that are dead (νεκρούς, nekrous): The dative plural of nekros, meaning "dead ones" or "corpses." In this specific context, harmonizing with 1 Pet 4:5 ("judge the living and the dead"), and the common understanding among scholars, it most strongly refers to Christians who physically died after having heard and believed the gospel during their lifetime. This distinguishes them from Christ's preaching to spirits in prison (1 Pet 3:19). The emphasis is on God's just handling of His deceased faithful.
• that (ἵνα, hina): A purpose clause, explaining why the gospel was preached to them.
• they might be judged (κριθῶσι, krithōsi): Aorist passive subjunctive of krinō, meaning to be judged or condemned. This "judgment" is best understood in the context of Peter's letter as the harsh assessment, condemnation, or persecution experienced from men in the physical realm during their lives or at their deaths, perhaps even involving trials or executions by human authorities. It implies they faced earthly adverse verdicts.
• according to men (κατὰ ἀνθρώπους, kata anthrōpous): Signifies a judgment made from a human perspective, by human standards or authorities, often implying a superficial, unjust, or worldly condemnation, especially in light of the severe persecution believers faced.
• in the flesh (σαρκι, sarki): Refers to their physical bodies or earthly existence. They were judged in their physical being (i.e., persecuted, harmed, killed) by human beings. This contrasts sharply with their spiritual outcome.
• but (δὲ, de): A strong contrastive particle, highlighting the essential difference between human judgment and divine purpose.
• live (ζῶσι, zōsi): Aorist active subjunctive of zaō, meaning to live. This is the positive, divine outcome. Despite earthly suffering and death, they attain true, spiritual life. This signifies their continued existence and blessedness in God's presence.
• according to God (κατὰ Θεόν, kata Theon): Indicates that their ultimate life is governed by God's standards and will, existing in conformity with divine nature and purpose. It is a life uniquely from and in relationship with God.
• in the spirit (πνεύματι, pneumati): Refers to their spiritual being or the spiritual realm. This stands in direct contrast to "in the flesh" and highlights their ultimate resurrection life, spiritual vitality, and eternal existence with God, often aided by the Holy Spirit. This clarifies that while their physical bodies perished, their true life (soul/spirit) endures in God.

1 Peter 4 6 Bonus section

Alternative interpretations of "them that are dead" have been proposed, such as those spiritually dead in sins who later converted, or even interpretations connecting to Christ's post-resurrection preaching mentioned in 1 Peter 3:19-20. However, the most consistent and contextually sound interpretation is that nekrous (the dead) in 1 Peter 4:6 refers to fellow Christians who have already died physically. This aligns directly with the preceding verse (1 Pet 4:5), which speaks of God judging both "the living and the dead," implying physical distinction. The verse serves to explain the apparent paradox that believers, who are supposedly saved, could still die or be persecuted. Peter's argument is that even for those who experienced physical death as a form of human "judgment," their true destiny is not annihilation but spiritual life with God, offering immense comfort and resilience to the persecuted Church. This theological statement provides a basis for enduring suffering and death with confidence, knowing God's ultimate purpose for His people is life.

1 Peter 4 6 Commentary

First Peter 4:6 provides comfort and theological grounding for early Christians enduring severe persecution, many of whom had already died for their faith. The verse explains that the gospel's message of salvation, hope, and eternal life extended even to these "dead" believers. It clarifies that while they may have faced human judgment, persecution, and even physical death (their bodies suffered "in the flesh" according to the judgment "of men"), this was not God's final verdict for them. Instead, the ultimate purpose of the gospel preached to them while alive was that they would "live according to God in the spirit." This signifies their enduring spiritual life and ultimate vindication and blessedness with God beyond physical demise. The verse offers assurance that dying in Christ does not mean defeat, but rather transitions believers from human condemnation to divine life, emphasizing the enduring power and promise of the gospel even through death. It reinforces that for believers, death is a gateway to life with God, not an end.